Little Thompson Observatory

Little Thompson Observatory is an active volunteer-run astronomy facility at Berthoud High School. Its telescope page lists several instruments, including the 24-inch Mount Wilson telescope, an 18-inch Tinsley reflector and a 6-inch refractor, plus a heated observing room.[2]

The observatory's reservation guidance says it can host “only one visitor group per night”, asks groups to schedule at least two weeks ahead and currently limits group visits to 15 people.[2]

2026 public nights are real, even though the reservation page is stale

The observatory's own reservation page still contains text referring to August and September 2025, so that page should not be used as a reliable 2026 public-event calendar.[2]

However, Denver Astronomical Society independently listed public star nights at Little Thompson Observatory on April 17, May 15 and July 17, 2026. That is enough to confirm that the public-star-night program continued in 2026, even though the next date should still be checked directly before travel.[2]

Current 2026 schedule evidence:[2]

Plan the visit

For a public night, confirm the next date with Little Thompson Observatory before driving to Berthoud. For a group reservation, use the observatory's request process and wait for confirmation from its volunteer staff.[2]

Sources

  1. [1]

    Photo: Little Thompson Observatory — 6-inch Astro-Physics Telescope

  2. [2]

    Little Thompson Observatory — starkids.org

  3. [3]

    Light Pollution Map — NASA Black Marble / VIIRS sky brightness